About Whitney

Whitney Russell MS, LPC-S, CEDS-C, EMDR Trained

Hi, I’m Whitney – founder of Brave Haven Counseling, a trauma-informed therapy practice based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S), a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist-Consultant (CEDS-C), a Certified Menopause Mental Health Provider (MMHPC), and I’m trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a powerful approach to healing trauma. I specialize in helping individuals who are navigating eating disorders, complex trauma, and issues related to reconnecting and living peacefully within your body.

Whether you’re struggling with disordered eating, feeling overwhelmed by past experiences, having difficulty navigating midlife/menopause, or simply seeking a safe place to reconnect with yourself, I’m here to walk alongside you with compassion and curiosity.

I began my counseling career at the Dallas County Juvenile Detention Center, working with teens in a residential treatment setting. From there, my journey led me deep into the field of eating disorder treatment. I’ve worked as a primary therapist at the Renfrew Center of Texas (in both PHP and IOP levels of care) and later served as Regional Director of Operations at Center for Discovery, overseeing clinical operations at 7 eating disorder treatment centers across the country.

I’m an active member of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP), where I’ve served in multiple leadership roles in the DFW chapter, including President and Treasurer.

Being a Certified Menopause Mental Health Provider means that I not only have knowledge about the biological changes related to menopause, but also the emotional, nutritional, sexual, sleep, and relational needs during midlife.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with people of all ages, backgrounds, body sizes, identities, and lived experiences. What I’ve learned most is this: every person deserves to feel seen, supported, and worthy of healing.

As your therapist, my goal is to help you reconnect with the parts of yourself you may have lost along the way—the parts that know you are strong, resilient, and worthy of love and belonging. Healing is never a straight line, but you don’t have to do it alone.

I’m a wife, a mom to four energetic kids, and an Enneagram 1 who loves plants, thrift shops, Nutella, and reading way too many books at once. I believe therapy should be a brave space—a place where your story is honored and your growth is celebrated.

If you're looking for an eating disorder therapist or trauma therapist in the DFW area, I’d be honored to support you.

Let’s walk this journey together.